US5231444A

US5231444A - Camera system including rear conversion lens

Info

Publication number: US5231444A
Application number: US07/804,042
Authority: US
Inventors: Tsuneo Watanabe; Yoshiharu Shiokama; Yoshinari Hamanishi
Original assignee: Nikon Corp
Current assignee: Nikon Corp
Priority date: 1990-12-12
Filing date: 1991-12-09
Publication date: 1993-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-09
Also published as: JPH04214542A; JP3220990B2

Abstract

A camera system and a rear conversion lens both of which accurately calculate the distance ΔX a focusing lens moves when the rear conversion lens is interposed between an interchangeable lens and the camera body, even when the distance ΔBf an image surface of the focusing lens shifts, increases, so that a subject can be focused quickly.

A factor K₀ for converting the distance the image surface of an interchangeable lens shifts and a factor C₀ for correcting the conversion factor K₀ are stored, and the magnification βc and the focal length fc of the rear conversion lens are also stored independently of the above two factors. The distance ΔX is calculated with precision. The subject can thus be automatically focused smoothly and quickly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera system and a rear conversion lens interposed between a camera body and an interchangeable lens of the camera system.

2. Related Background Art

A type of camera system has hitherto been known which uses a method of automatically focusing a subject. In this method, light being transmitted through a photographic lens is measured. There is deviation between a predetermined focal surface of the photographic lens, that is, the surface of a film, and a surface where the subject is actually formed. The amount of such deviation, called the amount of shift of an image surface (hereinafter called simply the amount of shift), is calculated. The photographic lens, which is a focusing lens, is moved in an optical axis direction in accordance with the amount of shift. The subject is thus focused automatically. In this method, the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens is expressed by the following equation: ##EQU1## where ΔBf is the amount of shift, and K is a factor (conversion factor) for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface, which factor causes the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens to correspond to the amount of shift ΔBf.

The conversion factor K is an enormous amount of data depending on the amount of shift ΔBf, and is impractical for use in an automatic focusing device. The conversion factor K is usually represented by a factor K₀ for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface, which factor K₀ corresponds to an extremely small amount of movement made by the focusing lens near a focal point and to an extremely small amount of shift. thus, ##EQU2##

However, when the amount of shift ΔBf increases, that is, when the difference between the conversion factors K and K₀ is large, errors in the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens logically increase. For this reason, the focusing lens is moved beyond the focal point or approaches but does not reach it. This makes it difficult to perform a focusing operation smoothly at a high speed.

To solve such a disadvantage, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 62-170924 discloses a method of calculating the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens. In this method, instead of the conversion factor K, the conversion factor K₀ and another factor C₀ are introduced. As mentioned above, the factor K₀ corresponds to an extremely small amount of movement made by the focusing lens near the focal point and to an extremely small amount of shift. The factor C₀ is used for correcting the conversion factor K₀ in accordance with the amount of shift ΔBf. On the basis of the amount of shift ΔBf, the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens is calculated from the following equation: ##EQU3##

Because of this simple operation expression, even when the amount of shift ΔBf is relatively large, the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens is calculated with a high degree of precision, thus solving the above problem of the focusing lens moving beyond the focal point or approaching but not reaching it. In addition, the focusing operation can be carried out smoothly at a high speed.

Equation (2) holds true when an interchangeable lens is attached directly to a camera body. However, it does not hold true any longer when a rear conversion lens is interposed between the camera body and the interchangeable lens. This is because the conversion factor K₀ and the correction factor C₀ are data specific to only the interchangeable lens. The automatic focusing device therefore does not function normally.

To solve this problem, an automatic focusing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 59-188622 has been proposed. This device calculates the amount of movement ΔX made by a focusing lens in the following manner. In the case of an optical system having a rear conversion lens, the factor K₀ for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface is converted to the following equation: ##EQU4## where f_M = focal length of only the interchangeable lens

f_MC =focal length of a composite lens including the interchangeable and rear conversion lenses

βc=magnification of the rear conversion lens

When the rear conversion lens is used, the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens, which is the interchangeable lens, is calculated from the following equation, which is converted from equation (1): ##EQU5##

However, when the equation (1") is used to calculate the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens, the same problem occurs as that mentioned in the conventional art, i.e., when the amount of shift ΔBf increases, errors in the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens logically increase. For this reason, the focusing lens is moved beyond the focal point or approaches but does not reach it. This makes it difficult to perform the focusing operation smoothly at a high speed.

Also, even if the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens is calculated from equation (2), to which equation (3) is applied, where only the conversion factor K₀ is changed for the rear conversion lens, the conversion factor K₀ is not corrected thoroughly when the rear conversion lens is used. This is because the correction factor C₀ in equation (2) is a factor used only with the interchangeable lens. When the amount of shift ΔBf increases, errors in the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens logically increase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera system which accurately calculates the amount of movement ΔX made by a focusing lens when a rear conversion lens is interposed between an interchangeable lens and a camera body, even when the amount of shift ΔBf of an image surface of the focusing lens increases, so that a subject can be focused quickly.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is provided a camera system comprising: a camera body; an interchangeable lens; a rear conversion lens interposed between the camera body and the interchangeable lens; focus detecting means for measuring luminous flux being transmitted through a focusing optical system to detect the amount of shift ΔBf of an image surface between a predetermined focal surface and a surface where a subject is actually formed into an image; first information storing means for retaining a factor K₀ and another factor C₀, the factor K₀ being used for converting the amount of movement made by a specific image surface and being represented by a ratio of an extremely small amount of movement made by the image surface to an extremely small amount of movement made by the focusing optical system, the factor C₀ being used for correcting the factor K₀ in accordance with the amount of shift ΔBf of the image surface; control means for calculating, on the basis of the factor K₀ and the amount of shift ΔBf of the image surface, the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing optical system until the subject is focused and for driving controllably the focusing optical system by the amount of movement ΔX; and second information storing means, which is provided in the rear conversion lens, for retaining information regarding magnification βc and a focal length fc of the rear conversion lens and for outputting the information to the control means.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a rear conversion lens interposed between a camera body and an interchangeable lens of a camera system, the camera system comprising: focus detecting means for measuring luminous flux being transmitted through a focusing optical system to detect the amount of shift ΔBf of an image surface between a predetermined focal surface and a surface where a subject is actually formed into an image; first information storing means for retaining a factor K₀ and another factor C₀, the factor K₀ being used for converting the amount of movement made by a specific image surface and being represented by a ratio of an extremely small amount of movement made by the image surface to an extremely small amount of movement made by the focusing optical system, the factor C₀ being used for correcting the factor K₀ in accordance with the amount of shift ΔBf of the image surface; and control means for calculating, on the basis of the factor K₀ and the amount of shift ΔBf of the image surface, the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing optical system until the subject is focused and for driving controllably the focusing optical system by the amount of movement ΔX; the rear conversion lens comprising second information storing means for retaining information regarding magnification βc and a focal length fc of the rear conversion lens and for outputting the information to the control means.

There is provided a camera system wherein a factor K₀ ' for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface of the composite, which composite includes the interchangeable lens and the rear conversion lens, and a factor C₀ ' for correcting the factor K₀ ' are calculated from the following equation based on the factor K₀ and the factor C₀, and the magnification βc and the focal length fc of the rear conversion lens: ##EQU6##

There is also provided a camera system wherein the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing optical system is calculated from the following equation: ##EQU7##

There is provided a rear conversion lens wherein a factor K₀ ' for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface of the composite, which composite includes the interchangeable lens and the rear conversion lens, and a factor C₀ ' for correcting the factor K₀ ' are calculated from the following equation based on the factor K₀ and the factor C₀, and the magnification βc and the focal length fc of the rear conversion lens: ##EQU8##

There is also provided a rear conversion lens wherein the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing optical system is calculated from the following equation: ##EQU9##

According to this invention, the factor K₀ and the factor C₀ are stored, and the magnification βc and the focal length fc, both being optical data specific to the rear conversion lens, are also stored independently of the above two factors. When the rear conversion lens is interposed between the interchangeable lens and the camera body, the factor K₀ ', for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface of a composite optical system including the two types of lenses, and the factor C₀ ', for correcting the conversion factor K₀ ', can be calculated on the basis of the four basic arithmetic calculations.

Once the camera system calculates the amount of shift ΔBf of an image surface of a focusing lens, it uses the same operation expression as that used with only the interchangeable lens to calculate the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens. This calculation is based on the amount of shift ΔBf, the conversion factor K₀ ', and the correction factor C₀ '.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C are views each showing an optical arrangement which is used to determine a relation between the amount of shift ΔBf of an image surface and the amount of movement ΔX made by a lens;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views each showing an optical arrangement which is used to determine a relation between the amount of shift ΔBf of an image surface and the amount of movement ΔX made by a lens when a rear conversion lens is used;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the concept of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the concept of a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the concept of a third embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the concept of a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the concept of a fifth embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the concept of a sixth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Equations (3) and (4) will be described which are used to convert a factor K₀ and a factor C₀ to another factor K₀ ' and another factor C₀ '. The factor K₀ converts the amount of movement made by an image surface of an interchangeable lens, and is used for only the interchangeable lens when a rear conversion lens of the present invention is attached to a camera body. The factor C₀ corrects the conversion factor K₀ in accordance with the amount of shift ΔBf of an image surface (hereinafter referred to simply as the amount of shift ΔBf). The above conversion is based on optical data specific to the rear conversion lens.

FIG. 1A is a view of an optical arrangement showing a subject located at a position O₁ (S.sub.(-) from a focusing lens having a focal length of f), and an image of the subject focused by the focusing lens on a predetermined focus surface A, for example, on the surface of a film (position O₁ ').

FIG. 1B is a view showing an optical arrangement in which the subject moves by only ΔS.sub.(+) from the position O₁ to a position O₂. At this time, the image of the subject is formed on a position O₂ ' which is away from the predetermined focus surface A by only ΔS'.sub.(+). FIG. 1 C is a view showing an optical arrangement in which when the subject is in the position O₂ in FIG. 1B, (which is euqal to a position O₃ in FIG. 1C), the focusing lens is moved by only ΔS.sub.(+) to form the image of the subject onto the focus surface A (position O₃ ').

A lens formula is used to represent the optical systems shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B as follows: ##EQU10## When S and S' are eliminated from equations (5), (6) and (7), the following equation is obtained: ##EQU11##

A lens formula is used to represent the optical system shown in FIG. 1C as follows: ##EQU12## When S and S' are eliminated from equations (5), (7) and (9), we have the following equation which is the same equation as equation (8), where ΔS is replaced by ΔS+ΔX and ΔS' is replaced by ΔX: ##EQU13## When ΔS is eliminated from equation (10) and infinitesimal items are ignored and when it is assumed that ##EQU14## then the following approximate value is obtained: ##EQU15##

where ΔX is the amount of movement made by the focusing lens, and ΔS' is the amount of shift ΔBf. When the following replacement is established, that is, ##EQU16## then equation (11) becomes exactly the same as equation (2). Thus an equation can be obtained which is used to calculate the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens when only an interchangeable lens is attached to the camera body. This calculation is based on the amount of shift ΔBf.

The relationship will be described between the amount of shift ΔBf and the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens when the rear conversion lens is interposed between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. FIG. 2A is a view showing an optical arrangement of a focusing lens having a focal length of fl and a rear conversion lens having a focal length of fc. The image of a subject at a position O₁ is focused on a predetermined focus surface A, for example, on the surface of a film. The subject moves to a position O₂ by ΔS₁, and the image of this subject is formed on a position O'2, which deviates from the predetermined focus surface A by ΔBf.

FIG. 2B is a view showing an optical arrangement in which when the subject is in the position O₂ in FIG. 2A (which is equal to a position O₃ in FIG. 2B), the focusing lens is moved by only ΔX₁, and the image of this subject is formed on the predetermined focus surface A (position O'₃). When equation (11) is applied in the case of the focusing lens, the following equation is obtained: ##EQU17##

When equation (8) is applied in the case of the rear conversion lens, the following equation is established: ##EQU18## When ΔS₁ ' is eliminated from equations (12) and (13), the following equation is obtained ultimately: ##EQU19## Equation (14) is an equation used to calculate the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens until the subject is focused. This calculation is based on the amount of shift ΔBf.

Equation (14) will be discussed in detail. When ##EQU20## then equation (14) can be expressed as follows: ##EQU21## When equation (14') is compared with equation (2), these equations have the same form, and only constants determined by data specific to the optical system are different. That is, the conversion factor K₀ and the correction factor C₀ in equation (2) are different from those in equation (14'). In this way, the same method can be used in two camera systems to calculate the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens until the subject is focused, except that the conversion factor K₀ and the correction factor C₀ for the conversion factor K₀ change. The first camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body, and the second camera system includes an interchangeable lens, a rear conversion lens and a camera body. The calculation mentioned above is based on the amount of shift ΔBf. It is sufficient to provide means for calculating the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens. The calculating means may be disposed, for example, in a portion inside the camera body, regardless of the optical system with either only an interchangeable lens or with interchangeable and rear conversion lenses.

In the same manner as with the interchangeable lens, the correction factor C₀ ' is used to calculate the amount of movement made by the focusing lens of an optical system with the rear conversion lens. Because of the use of the correction factor C₀ ', such an amount is calculated as accurately as with the interchangeable lens. The conversion factor K₀ and the factor C₀ for correcting the conversion factor K₀ will be described in the case of a camera system including the rear conversion lens. When equations (11A) and (11B) are compared with equations (15) and (16), the following equation is obtained: ##EQU22## where K₀ is the conversion factor; C₀ is the factor for correcting the conversion factor K₀ when only the interchangeable lens is used; βc is a magnification value; and fc is a focal length, βc and fc being optical data specific to the rear conversion lens.

Thus, in the case of a camera system including the intercahngeable and rear conversion lenses, the conversion factor K₀, and the correction factor C₀ ' are calculated by the conversion factor K₀ and the correction factor C₀, both of which are used in the case of a camera system including only the interchangeable lens, and by fc and βc, which are optical data specific to the rear conversion lens. Since optical data available with only the interchangeable lens is completely separated from optical data available with the conversion lens, it is not necessary to process K₀ and C₀ in order to calculate K₀ ' and C₀ '. In other words, K₀ and C₀ are stored as data specific to the interchangeable lens, and βc and fc are stored as data specific to the rear conversion lens. K₀ and C₀ are retained in the interchangeable lens, and βc and fc are retained in the rear conversion Iens.

In FIGS. 1A to 1C and 2A and 2B, it is assumed that one interchangeable lens group is used as one focusing lens group. However, equation (2) is construed as approximately true when a plurality of interchangeable lens groups are used as focusing lens groups, even when such groups constitute all or part of an optical system with the interchangeable lenses. Therefore, equation (2') usually holds true when equations (3) and (4) are applied in the case of the rear conversion lens attached to a camera body.

To demonstrate suitability of the present invention on the basis of the above theory, an example is shown in which the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens is calculated from the amount of shift ΔBf.

Table 1 shows the amounts of movement made by a zoom lens, used as the focusing lens, of a camera system, the zoom lens being actually attached to the camera body.

                                  TABLE 1                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
                        Focusing                                          
               Focusing Position for                                      
                                 Focusing                                 
               Position for                                               
                        Intermediate                                      
                                 Position for                             
               Far Point                                                  
                        Point    Near Point                               
Positions      Amount of                                                  
                        Amount of                                         
                                 Amount of                                
of     Positions of                                                       
               Extension                                                  
                        Extension                                         
                                 Extension                                
Subject                                                                   
       Focusing Lens                                                      
               x = 0    x = 1.615                                         
                                 x = 8.474                                
__________________________________________________________________________
Far Point                                                                 
       K       1.065    1.017     0.852                                   
       ΔB f                                                         
               0        -1.642   -7.220                                   
       ΔX                                                           
       A       0        -1.615   -8.474                                   
       B       0   (0%) -1.549                                            
                            (4.1%)                                        
                                 -6.811                                   
                                     (19.6%)                              
       C       0   (0%) -1.615                                            
                            (0%) -8.312                                   
                                     (1.9%)                               
Intermediate                                                              
       K       1.117    1.064     0.885                                   
Point  ΔB f                                                         
               1.804    0        -6.070                                   
       ΔX                                                           
       A       1.615    0        -6.859                                   
       B       1.702    0   (0%) -5.726                                   
                                     (16.5%)                              
       C       1.628    0   (0%) -6.751                                   
                                     (1.6%)                               
Near Point                                                                
       K       1.367    1.288     1.034                                   
       ΔB f                                                         
                11.584  8.834    0                                        
       ΔX                                                           
       A       8.474    6.859    0                                        
       B       10.928                                                     
                   (29.0%)                                                
                        8.334                                             
                            (21.5%)                                       
                                 0   (0%)                                 
       C       8.474                                                      
                   (0%) 6.826                                             
                            (0.5%)                                        
                                 0   (0%)                                 
__________________________________________________________________________

First, three positions of subjects and three positions of focusing lens are selected. At each position the amount of shaft ΔBf is calculated from equation (1) based on the factor K for converting the amount of movement made by an image surface and on the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens. Symbol ΔX(A) represents the amounts of movement made by the focusing lens until the subject is focused. Then, the conversion factor K is represented by a value obtained near a focal point; in this embodiment K₀ =1.06. Symbol ΔX(B) represents the amounts of movement made by the focusing lens. These amounts are calculated from equation (1') on the basis of the amount of shift ΔBf at each position. Symbol ΔX(C) represents the amounts of movement made by the focusing lens. These amounts are calculated from equation (2), where K₀ =1.06 and C₀ =1/40, which is a correction factor proposed by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-170924, on the basis of the amount of shift ΔBf at each position. Values enclosed in parentheses in the rows of ΔX(B) and ΔX(C) are errors in the amounts of movement ΔX(B) and ΔX(C) made by the focusing lens with respect to the correct amount of movement ΔX(A) made by the focusing lens in a paraxial system. It is obvious from Table 1 that errors in ΔX(C) are much smaller than those in ΔX(B) and that the correction factor C₀ produces an advantageous effect.

Table 2 shows the amounts of movement made by the zoom lens of a camera system including a rear conversion lens (tele-conversion lens in this embodiment) interposed between the zoom lens and the camera body.

                                  TABLE 2                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
                        Focusing                                          
               Focusing Position for                                      
                                 Focusing                                 
               Position for                                               
                        Intermediate                                      
                                 Position for                             
               Far Point                                                  
                        Point    Near Point                               
Positions      Amount of                                                  
                        Amount of                                         
                                 Amount of                                
of     Positions of                                                       
               Extension                                                  
                        Extension                                         
                                 Extension                                
Subject                                                                   
       Focusing Lens                                                      
               x = 0    x = 1.615                                         
                                 x = 8.474                                
__________________________________________________________________________
Far Point                                                                 
       K       2.178    2.030    1.575                                    
       ΔB f                                                         
               0        -3.278   -13.347                                  
       ΔX                                                           
       A       0        -1.615   -8.474                                   
       B       0   (0%) -1.512                                            
                            (6.4%)                                        
                                 -6.156                                   
                                     (27.4%)                              
       C       0   (0%) -1.615                                            
                            (0%) -8.308                                   
                                     (2.0%)                               
Intermediate                                                              
       K       2.346    2.175    1.662                                    
Point  ΔB f                                                         
               3.789    0        -11.400                                  
       ΔX                                                           
       A       1.615    0        -6.859                                   
       B       1.748                                                      
                   (8.2%)                                                 
                        0   (0%) -5.258                                   
                                     (23.3%)                              
       C       1.628                                                      
                   (0.8%)                                                 
                        0   (0%) -6.752                                   
                                     (1.6%)                               
Near Point                                                                
       K       3.369    3.027     2.115                                   
       ΔB f                                                         
               28.549   20.762   0                                        
       ΔX                                                           
       A       8.474    6.859    0                                        
       B       13.168                                                     
                   (55.4%)                                                
                        9.577                                             
                            (39.6%)                                       
                                 0   (0%)                                 
       C       8.474                                                      
                   (0%) 6.826                                             
                            (0.5%)                                        
                                 0   (0%)                                 
__________________________________________________________________________

In Table 2, symbol K indicates the factor for converting the amount of movement made by an image surface. The conversion factor K is calculated again when a zoom lens optical system and a tele-conversion lens system are combined into one optical system. The same calculating method is used as that used in Table 1. As regards ΔX(B), the conversion factor K₀ ' is expressed by the following equation using equation (3):

K.sub.0 '=K.sub.0 ·βc.sup.2 =1.06×1.43.sup.2 =2.168

This is the calculating method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 59-188622. As regards ΔX(C) the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ' are expressed by the following equation using equations (3) and (4) of this invention: ##EQU23## It is understood that a method of converting the conversion factor K₀ and the correction factor C₀ for the conversion factor K₀ are correct and accurate. This converting method is based on the equations (3) and (4), where ΔX(A) is compared with ΔX(C). It is also understood that, when ΔX(A) is compared with ΔX(C), there are much smaller errors in a method in which the correction factor C₀ ', corresponding to a rear conversion lens, is used to calculate the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens when the rear conversion lens is attached to the camera body. This calculation is based on the amount of shift ΔBf.

An embodiment will now be described in which this invention is applied to an AF camera. In FIG. 3, numeral 1 denotes an interchangeable lens; 2, a rear conversion lens; and 3, a camera body. The rear conversion lens 2 is interposed between the interchangeable lens 2 and the camera body 3. A focusing lens group L1, an information storage device 4 and a converter 10 are arranged in the interchangeable lens 1. The information storage device 4 is used to store the conversion factor K₀ and the factor C₀ for correcting the conversion factor K₀ when only the interchangeable lens 1 is used. The converter 10 is used to read information regarding the interchangeable and rear conversion lenses and to compute the information, that is, to calculate K₀ ' and C₀ ' from equations (3) and (4).

As described previously, the focusing lens group L1 may constitute all or part of an optical system having the interchangeable lens, and may be composed of a plurality of groups. A rear conversion lens group L2 and an information storage device 6 are disposed in the rear conversion lens 2. The information storage device 6 stores a magnification value βc and a focal length fc, both being optical data specific to the rear conversion lens. A control device 7, a driving device 5 for driving the focusing lens group L1 in an optical axis direction, and a focus detecting device 8 for calculating the amount of shift ΔBf, are all arranged in the camera body 3. The control device 7 reads information, that is, K₀ ' and C₀ ', converted when the interchangeable and rear conversion lenses are attached to the camera body 3. The control device 7 calculate the amount of movement made by the focusing lens group based on the amount of shift ΔBf, and issues a lens driving command.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the converter 10 inside the interchangeable lens 1 reads from the information storage device 4 the conversion factor K₀ and the correction factor C₀ when only the interchangeable lens 1 is used. The converter 10 further reads from the information storage device 6 optical data of the rear conversion lens, that is, the magnification βc and the focal length fc. Then, it calculates the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ' in accordance with equations (3) and (4). The converter 10 transmits these factors to the control device 7 inside the camera body 3. These factors are used for a composite including the interchangeable and rear conversion lenses. The control device 7 calculates the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens until the subject is focused. This calculation is based on equation (2'), the conversion factor K₀ ', the correction factor C₀ ' and on the amount of shift ΔBf, which amount is transmitted from the focus detecting device 8. Then the driving device 5 inside the camera body 3 moves the focusing lens group L1 by only ΔX so that the subject is focused. As shown in Table 2, because a few errors are actually present in the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens, in some cases the above operation is repeated, that is, the amount of shift ΔBf is calculated a plurality of times to drive the focusing lens group L1 until the subject is focused. When the rear conversion lens is not used, that is, when data cannot be read from the information storage device 6, the converter 10 transmits directly to the control device 7 the conversion factor K₀ and the correction factor C₀ instead of the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ '.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of this invention. The structure of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that a converter 11 is disposed in a rear conversion lens 2. The converter 11 calculates the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ' when the rear conversin lens 2 is used. FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of this invention. The structure of the third embodiment is the same as those of the first and second embodiments, except that a converter 12 is disposed in a camera body 3. The converter 12 calculates the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ' when a rear conversion lens 2 is used. The operations of the second and third embodiments are exactly the same as that of the first embodiment. The conversion factor K₀ and the correction factor C₀ ' used only with the interchangeable lens, the magnification value βc and the focal length fc, both being optical data specific to the rear conversion lens, are all transmitted to the converter 11 in the rear conversion lens 2 or the converter 12 in the camera body 3. The conversion factor K₀ and the correction factor C₀ are converted to the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ '. The latter factors K₀ ' and C₀ ' are transmitted to the control device 7 inside the camera body 3.

The present invention is applied to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which the control device 7 in the camera body 3 calculates the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens. This calculation is based on the amount of shift ΔBf, the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ', both factors having been converted. This invention, however, is not limited to the above embodiments, and may be applied to embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 through 8. In these embodiments, a driving device 5 and means 9 for calculating the amount of movement ΔX may be provided in an interchangeable lens 1. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the amount of shift ΔBf is transmitted from a camera body 3 to the calculating means 9 in the interchangeable lens, and the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ' are transmitted from the interchangeable lens to the calculating means 9. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ' are transmitted from a rear conversion lens to the calculating means 9 in the interchangeable lens. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ' are transmitted from the camera body to the calculating means 9 in the interchangeable lens. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 through 8, the operation of a control device 7 inside the camera body is reduced since in the camera body transmits only the amount of shift ΔBf. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, means for communication can be simplified because means for calculating the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ' is disposed in the interchangeable lens.

According to this invention, the factor K₀ for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface of an interchangeable lens and the factor C₀ for correcting the conversion factor K₀ are stored, and the magnification value βc and the focal length fc, both being optical data specific to the rear conversion lens, are also stored independently of the above two factors. When a rear conversion lens is interposed between the interchangeable lens and the camera body, the conversion factor K₀ is converted to another factor K₀ ', for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface of a composite optical system including the two types of lenses, and the correction factor C₀ is converted to another factor C₀ ', for correcting the conversion factor K₀ '. The latter factors K₀ ' and C₀ ' can be calculated quickly on the basis of only the four basic arithmetic calculations.

Once a camera system calculates the amount of shift ΔBf of an image surface of a focusing lens, it calculates the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens. This calculation is based on the amount of shift ΔBf, the conversion factor K₀ ', and the correction factor C₀ '. The same operation expression is used to calculate the amount of movement ΔX, regardless of a type of an optical system, thus making the camera system versatile. Even when a rear conversion lens and various types of interchangeable lenses are combined, it is not necessary to perform a very complicated and impractical operation, that is, to calculate beforehand the conversion factor K₀ ' and the correction factor C₀ ' and to store these factors as data.

Since the correction factor C₀ ' is introduced in accordance with a rear conversion lens being used, the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing lens can be calculated with precision. The focusing lens is moved to a point extremely near a focal point when it is moved first. The subject can thus be focused smoothly and quickly.

The same operation expression is used regardless of the method by which an interchangeable lens focuses the subject, that is, regardless of whether a focusing lens group constitutes all or part of an optical system having an interchangeable lens or whether a plurality of focusing lens groups are used. This makes the camera system of this invention very versatile.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A camera system comprising:

a camera body;

an interchangeable lens;

a rear conversion lens interposed between the camera body and the interchangeable lens;

focus detecting means for measuring luminous flux being transmitted through a focusing optical system to detect the amount of shift ΔBf of an image surface between a predetermined focal surface and a surface where a subject is actually formed into an image;

first information storing means for retaining a factor K₀ and another factor C₀, the factor K₀ being used for converting the amount of movement made by a specific image surface and being represented by a ratio of an extremely small amount of movement made by the image surface to an extremely small amount of movement made by the focusing optical system, the factor C₀ being used for correcting the factor K₀ in accordance with the amount of shift ΔBf of the image surface;

second information storing means, which is provided in the rear conversion lens, for retaining information regarding magnification βc and focal length fc of the rear conversion lens;

calculating means for converting the factor K₀ to a factor K₀ ' with an equation in which K₀ ' is a function of K₀ and βc and for converting the factor C₀ to a factor C₀ ' with an equation in which C₀ ' is a function of C₀, βc, and fc; and

control means for calculating the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing optical system until the subject is focused, with an equation in which ΔX is a function of K₀ ', C₀ ', and ΔBf, and for driving controllably the focusing optical system by the amount of movement ΔX.

2. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein the factor K₀ ' is for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface of a composite, which composite includes the interchangeable lens and the rear conversion lens, and the factor C₀ ' is for correcting the factor K₀ ' and is calculated from the following equation: ##EQU24##

3. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing optical system is calculated from the following equation ##EQU25##

4. A rear conversion lens interposed between a camera body and an interchangeable lens of a camera system, said camera system comprising:

control means for calculating the amount of movement ΔX made by focusing optical system until the subject is focused, with an equation in which ΔX is a function of K₀ ', C₀ ', and ΔBf, and for driving controllably the focusing optical system by the amount of movement ΔX.

5. A rear conversion lens according to claim 4, wherein the factor K₀ ' is for converting the amount of movement made by the image surface of a composite, which composite includes the interchangeable lens and the rear conversion lens, and the factor C₀ ' is for correcting the factor K₀ ' and is calculated from the following equation: ##EQU26##

6. A rear conversion lens according to claim 4, wherein the amount of movement ΔX made by the focusing optical system is calculated from the following equation: ##EQU27##